church
CHURCH
Church (noun) means a building used for Christian worship. Example: “The wedding was held in a small stone church.”
noun
1
A building used for Christian worship.
"The wedding was held in a small stone church."
"They walked past the church on their way to town."
"The church bells rang loudly across the quiet village."
2
A religious service held for Christian worship.
"Grandma goes to church every Sunday morning."
"We usually go to church and then have lunch together."
"He was late for church because the bus broke down."
3
A particular Christian denomination or organized branch of Christianity.
"The Anglican Church has its roots in 16th-century England."
"She was raised in the Methodist church and still attends."
"Each church has its own traditions and ways of choosing leaders."
4
Christians collectively, or organized religion viewed as an institution.
"The relationship between church and state has long been debated."
"Over the centuries the church has run schools and hospitals."
"Many people expected the church to speak out on the issue."
How to use church
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA place, service, or institution connected to Christian worship.
Common pairings
go to church
church service
church and state
a church wedding
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Word forms
- Plural
- churches
- Third person singular
- churches
- Past tense
- churched
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The wedding was held in a small stone _____.
Etymology
From Old English cirice, ultimately from a Greek word meaning "belonging to the Lord" — the same root gives Scots kirk and German Kirche.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for church
See all rhymes for church →Frequently asked questions
What does “church” mean?
The word “church” means a building used for Christian worship. In plain terms, a place, service, or institution connected to Christian worship.
How do you pronounce “church”?
“Church” is pronounced CHURCH (/ˈt͡ʃɝt͡ʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “church” in a sentence?
Here is “church” used in a sentence: “The wedding was held in a small stone church.”
What is another word for “church”?
Words with a similar meaning to “church” include autem and congregation.
What part of speech is “church”?
“Church” is a noun.
Where does the word “church” come from?
The word “church” comes from Old English. From Old English cirice, ultimately from a Greek word meaning "belonging to the Lord" — the same root gives Scots kirk and German Kirche.
Is “church” a common word?
“Church” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “church” have?
“Church” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a building used for Christian worship.
What is the difference between a church and a cathedral?
A cathedral is a church, but a special one: it is the main church of a diocese and contains the cathedra, the seat of the bishop who oversees that region. Cathedrals are usually larger and more senior. Every cathedral is a church, but most churches are ordinary parish churches, not cathedrals.
What is the difference between a church and a chapel?
A church is usually a standalone building for a whole congregation. A chapel is smaller and often part of something larger — inside a school, hospital, prison, or big house, or a side space within a cathedral. Chapels serve a narrower group or purpose, while a church serves a full parish community.
Does 'church' only mean a building?
No. Besides the building, 'church' can mean the people — the congregation gathered for worship. It can also name a whole Christian denomination or institution, such as the Catholic Church or the Church of England. And 'the Church' broadly refers to the worldwide body of Christian believers as a single community.
What is the difference between a church and a temple or mosque?
The difference is the religion each serves. A church is a place of Christian worship. A temple is a house of worship in faiths such as Hinduism, Buddhism, or Judaism, and a mosque is where Muslims pray. All are places of worship, but 'church' specifically belongs to Christianity.
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